Eje’i Warns Against Human Trafficking in Iran

Current economic and social problems in Iran have made many people to leave their motherlands for developed countries. Based on the statistics released on July by the government, nearly 6 million expatriate Iranians are residing in countries other than Iran.

Human trafficking has become a major problem for the Iranian society. Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, Prosecutor General of Iran, warns against this new phenomenon in the country.

“Over the past few years, we have reviewed numerous cases about human trafficking in Iran. Unfortunately many citizens leave Iran for other countries to seek asylum. There is no need to say that many of them fail to achieve their goals.” Eje’i told a press-conference on Wednesday.

The former minister of intelligence also talked about the black business of human smugglers. “In most cases, smugglers cheat Iranian families. They usually demand money beforehand, and many of them simply disappear after receiving their requested money.”

According to Iran’s penal code, several Iranians are not allowed to leave Iran because of their existing cases with the Judiciary. Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, says these people should refrain from leaving the country with the assistance of human traffickers.

During the recent years, many Iranians have left Iran for Indonesia in order to submit their application for asylum in Australia. Recently, the Indonesian police arrested more than 100 Iranians in this regard. The Australian government has also decided to no longer accommodate asylum seekers in the Australia-based camps.

Mohammad Ali Armaghani, whose son has been detained by Indonesian police, says: “I have not heard of my son since 25 days ago. I urge the officials of the Iranian government to perform a thorough investigation about the conditions of arrested Iranians in Indonesia.”

Eje’I says the Iranian government and Judiciary cannot offer any help on the subject. “Only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can negotiate with the Indonesian government over releasing Iranian nationals.”